East Journey
Australia
Background East Journey
East Journey formed some time ago under the direction of Rrawun Maymuru, but was then left alone due to balancing of work and family life, and other competing interests. The band has recently been reformed with some new additions, to reflect the manikay (songs) of North East Arnhem Land. Some of the members are ex Garrangali Band members, most are Yolngu members from the Laynhapuy Homelands Association, and two from Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation. Rrawun Maymuru is the main songwriter and lead singer for East Journey. Assisting to organize the music writing for the re-arrangements of songs, is Wulkuwulku Marawili and PJ White. Rrawun Maymuru, Wulkuwulku Marawili, Malngay Yunupingu and Rico Wanambi are award winning musicians, having won ‘Album of the Year’ for ‘Garrangali’ with Rrawun being awarded ‘Song of the Year’ for ‘Sea Rights’ at the 2010 NT Music Awards.
East Journey aims to broaden the horizons of Australian people, encouraging them to listen to the music, understand the culture and share in the stories and manikays (songs) that reflect the close connection to country and culture, and the importance of living and working on country, and how this knowledge can be shared with the rest of Australia in the spirit of reconciliation. Education, employment, enterprise development, community development and social capacity building are very close to the heart of East Journey, including looking at ways of achieving these goals thinking ‘outside the square’.
As most of the members are from the Laynhapuy Homelands in North East Arnhem Land, a key focus and message is about keeping people connected, strengthening kinship and gurrutu, sharing their culture, dreams and innovations with others, and providing opportunities for Yolngu in the area in a variety of ways.
Music is one of the few things that transcends all boundaries and that is a universal language, and East Journey hope to use their talents in order to share their message, share their joy and enthusiasm, share their hopes and their dreams and inspire other Yolngu men that they too can succeed if they work hard towards their goals.
East Journey is supported by Laynhapuy Homelands Association.
EAST JOURNEY BAND MEMBERS
RRAWUN MAYMURU
WORK HISTORY
CDEP Yirrkala Banana Plantation, then plumbing, Laynhapuy Works Crew, now staff Training Officer at Laynhapuy Homelands Association in Yirrkala.
MUSICAL HISTORY
After leaving plumbing work, I went to live at Bawaka homeland and began to play music. I play acoustic guitar, traditional yidaki, some keyboards and vocals. I was taught music by listening to Yothu Yindi music. I was playing music at age 12, with Malngay Yunupingu singing together. I wrote my first songs at Bawaka, Anchor and Djutarra. I have been in the following bands: Yothu Yindi, East Journey, Garrangali, Bush Reggae and Crystal Clear. I was also the producer of Garrangali’s debut album ‘Garrangali’ and mentor. I am also a songwriter, and have been awarded ‘Song of the Year’ for the song I wrote and also perform vocals on ‘Sea Rights’. I have also written songs that Gurrumul performs, and will be singing vocals with him on his new album. Lead singer for East Journey.
CLAN - Mangalili
COUNTRY - Djarrakpi
GOAL
Not to give up. Keep playing my music and spreading the word about Yolngu culture and our way of life. To encourage reconciliation and send the message out to others that Yolngu and Ngapaki (Balanda) can work and live together. To keep standing up for my rights and for what is best for the future.
MALNGAY YUNUPINGU
WORK HISTORY
Works for Laynhapuy Homelands as a Yirralka Ranger. Was previously a member of the Yothu Yindi band
MUSCIAL HISTORY
Yothu Yindi band member, East Journey and Garrangali. Yidaki and vocals
CLAN GROUP AND COUNTRY
Gumatj Yunupingu / Dhaniya
AMBITION/GOAL
To stand for Yolngu rights and lead with integrity. To continue to encourage others to be able to live and work on country
RICO WANAMBI
WORK HISTORY
Laynhapuy Homelands CDEP – Yilpara homeland
MUSICAL HISTORY
Age 14 started playing base
CLAN - Madarrpa
COUNTRY - Yilpara
GOAL/AMBITION
Touring with East Journey, providing a good life for my children and family
WULKUWULKU MARAWILI
WORK HISTORY
CDEP – Yirralka Ranger, now staff member Laynhapuy Homelands Youth Development Officer Trainee
MUSICAL HISTORY
Gospel singing at a young age. Plays acoustic guitar, keyboard, bass guitar and vocals. Previously played with Garrangali Band. Co - music writer for Garrangali album.
CLAN GROUP - Madarrpa
COUNTRY – Yilpara
GOAL/AMBITION
To tour with East Journey, giving the message of Yolngu way of life, to continue writing the music for the songs, and to work with Rrawun and Gurrumul. I want to teach children to play music, and to balance things so that I have a stable family life.
ARIAN PEARSON
WORK HISTORY
Yirrkala CEC Top School as a tutor for music
MUSICAL HISTORY
Began at around 15, I play rhythm guitar
CLAN - Gumatj
COUNTRY - Bawaka homeland
AMBITION/GOAL
To educate people about my culture
PATRICK WHITE (PJ)
WORK HISTORY
PJ started work with Dhimurru in February 2006 as Sea Ranger and was promoted to Senior Sea Ranger in 2008, heading a team of three sea country rangers.
PJ is currently master of vessel Sea Ranger I
Gained coxswain certificate 2008 and conservation & land management certificate 2009
PJ’s work consists of looking after country, sea patrols, land patrols, working with AQIS and CSIRO and various consultants regarding conservation and land management. He has attended numerous conferences interstate and overseas on behalf of Dhimurru, and is an excellent role model for younger Yolngu staff.
MUSIC HISTORY
PJ was interested in music from an early age – he remembers living with his mother’s family at Barraratjpi and when he was about two years old his older brother showing him the beautiful sounds that a guitar could make after they came home from a day of fishing. The next day he was walking around with a tennis racquet pretending to make guitar sounds.
PJ went to school in Yirrkala and when he was seven years old his brother taught him a few chords and he then joined a band at the school.
Always interested in music, PJ later formed a local band called Bush Reggae with Gathapura and some other local boys, and this band has created a very big following. playing locally and at the Garma Festival.
CLAN GROUP - Marrkulu
COUNTRY - Barraratjpi
PJs homeland (his mother’s country) is Barraratjpi near Blue Mud Bay
PERSONAL AMBITION/GOAL
His goal in life is to play music, to teach his young children about their country and culture and music, and to inspire others to be the best they can be.
GATHAPURA MUNUNGGURR
WORK HISTORY
Worked in the Laynhapuy Works Crew then started with Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation in 2008 as Sea Country Ranger
Work includes sea patrols, land patrols, conservation and caring for country
MUSIC HISTORY
Plays with PJ in band Bush Reggae as drummer
CLAN GROUP - Djapu
COUNTRY - Wandawuy
PERSONAL AMBITION/GOAL
To enjoy life at work and with his wife and small daughter
NGALKANBUY MUNUNGGURR
WORK HISTORY
Worked in the Laynhapuy Works Crew then started with Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation in 2008 as Sea Country Ranger
Work includes sea patrols, land patrols, conservation and caring for country
MUSIC HISTORY
Plays with PJ in band Bush Reggae with yidaki and bilma
CLAN GROUP - Djapu
COUNTRY - Wandawuy
PERSONAL AMBITION/GOAL
To work hard, save money, create new music and spread our message to others about our way of life.